Making meaning after experiencing a street crime (Construyendo significados dispués de un asalto)

An unfortunate reality in any large city is the possibility of experiencing some form of street crime such as being robbed or assaulted. One unfortunate example is the disproportionately high number of street robberies that occur in Mexico City. According to the Procuraduría General de Justicia (PGJ) in 2012 43,329 robberies (of any type) were reported –118.1 robberies a day – in Mexico City. For the period of January-May 2013, 133.3 robberies were reported per day.

If you have had this experience, it can often lead to a loss of a sense of safety, relationship problems, difficulties sleeping, flashbacks and other challenges. While these are very normal reactions and are often part of the natural process of recovering from a trauma, sometimes it helps to talk to someone and explore options you may not have yet considered.